State seeks removal of Patton Village mayor from office

State: Pamela Munoz's criminal record makes her ineligible to be mayor

PATTON VILLAGE, Texas - The embattled mayor of a Montgomery County town faced more legal troubles as the Texas Attorney General's Office filed suit to have Pamela Munoz removed from office.

According to the civil suit filed in Montgomery County, Munoz is a convicted felon and, according to Texas law, cannot hold public office. Harris County court records show Munoz pleaded guilty to third-degree felony theft charges in 1979.

According to officials with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, Munoz did not disclose her criminal record when she filed her state required election application. This is the latest legal battle facing Munoz, who is awaiting trial on a slough of felony charges.

Texas Rangers raided Patton Village City Hall and the police department in October 2011, carting away dozens of records. In February 2012, Munoz was indicted by a grand jury on charges stemming from the use of city funds for personal services at her home and taking out loans while using police vehicles as collateral.

In all, Munoz is facing trial on 10 felony charges, including theft by a public servant, abuse of official capacity and tampering with a governmental record. Officials with the District Attorney's Office said this last charge is related to Munoz not disclosing her prior criminal conviction on the state required election application.

Munoz's attorney, Janeri Rivero, declined to comment about the case.

Munoz is scheduled for trial on April 22.

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